Stage Terms or Theatre Vocabulary
Years 9+
Front or Act Curtain:
Curtain that masks the acting area or stage from
the audience. Opens show and can be used to
separate acts.
Apron:
Area between the front curtain & edge of the
stage.
Proscenium Opening: Opening through which the audience views the
play or performance. Sometimes called a picture
frame stage.
Thrust Stage:
An area of stage which extends from the
proscenium arch toward the audience.
Theatre in the Round: An acting area or stage, which may be viewed
from all sides simultaneously.
Wings:
Offstage areas to R and L of acting/onstage area.
Teaser:
Heavy curtain hung from above the proscenium
opening to adjust the height of the opening.
Borders:
Short curtains hung at intervals above the acting
area to mask lighting and flown scenery from
audience.
Tabs:
Long curtains hung on the right and left wing
areas to create masking or entrances.
Trap:
An opening in the stage floor.
Pit:
Where the orchestra sit in an area just below the
stage edge.
Blackout:
Term used when the lights are turned off on
stage as the scene changes.
Grid:
Metal framework above the stage from which
lighting instruments and flown scenery are
hung.
Lighting Plot:
Arrangement of lights using a diagram to show
positioning of the lanterns.
Proscenium
Arch
Spots hung from
a grid
Orchestra perform
in the pit
Fly:
Pin Rail:
Battens:
Masking:
Rake:
Tread:
Rise:
Drop:
Scrim:
Jacks/bracing:
Flats:
Spiking:
Props:
Score:
P.A:
Blocking:
Musical score used
by the conductor
Pulley system in the wings used for scenery and
effects such as flying.
Where fly lines are pulled and tied off
Long horizontal pipes that hang above the stage
from which curtains, lights and flats are hung or
secured.
Used behind stage windows and doors to hide
the backstage area from audience.
A gradual gradation in stage floor height.
The area on a step where you place your foot.
The distance in height of each stair.
A large cloth (often painted) used for creating a
scene or picture background on stage.
A drop of loosely woven material (cheesecloth,
shark's tooth) which is opaque if front lit and is
transparent if backlit.
Wooden frames used to support flats.
Wooden frames with a flat surface used to create
walls or separations on stage.
Using tape to mark where a piece of scenery will
be placed.
Personal items or fixed ‘properties’ used on
stage by the actors such as a comb, pen or a
table and chair.
Musical composition of notes for all of the
songs and instruments.
Sound system or speakers/amplifying unit
controlled by a mixing board, aids voice
projection.
A method used by actors and directors of
walking through the play in order to get a feel
for it and to note where the character will move
to and when.
Projection is used onto
projection
a taught scrim cloth
Vocal